Duke Proposes Visa Restrictions for Under-18 Students

Donald Duke, the former Governor of Cross River State and 2027 presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has proposed a restriction on Nigerians below the age of 18 from obtaining visas to study abroad. He made this statement during an appearance on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, advocating for a significant overhaul of Nigeria's secondary education system.

Duke suggested that students in Senior Secondary School 1 to 3 (SS1-SS3) should focus on acquiring practical and vocational skills instead of solely preparing for university. He argued that students should be able to identify their interests and develop skills in areas such as masonry and plumbing.

Duke expressed concerns that sending children abroad at a young age could lead to cultural disconnection and hinder their integration into society. He believes that keeping children in Nigeria through secondary education would retain educational spending domestically, create jobs, and encourage investment in the local education sector.

Duke also called for a curriculum that emphasizes emerging fields like information technology and cybertronics.